Chapter 8: Words of Trust

No, absolutely not, don't even think about it. Gu Shiba Niang bit her lip.

The three young men were in high spirits, making sarcastic remarks. They didn't have any grudges against Gu Hai, they just felt happy to see others in trouble.

Cai Wen frowned and turned to leave.

"Wait, mister," Gu Shiba Niang called out to him loudly, taking a step forward.

"I cannot interfere in the affairs of the gentleman," Cai Wen said without stopping, not even looking back.

"Haha, is this little lady asking him to speak up for her brother? She must be dreaming!" the three young men laughed.

"Yeah, no matter who she asks, she can't ask him..." the chubby one laughed and then covered his mouth, sneaking a glance at Cai Wen, who seemed to have not heard.

Ignoring them, Gu Shiba Niang watched Cai Wen walking further away and then gritted her teeth and went after him.

Although she didn't know who this scholar was, people can be judged by their appearance, and this person was definitely different from these three. He was someone who took his studies seriously.

Seeing her blocking his way, Cai Wen frowned with a hint of impatience, "Miss, the gentleman does not like women making a scene. You'd better leave quickly, so as not to provoke the gentleman even more..."

Gu Shiba Niang shook her head, interrupting him, "I'm not here to plead for my brother."

"Oh?" Cai Wen was somewhat surprised. Just now, he had caught a glimpse of the almost tearful look on this young lady's face. How could...

"I want to ask the gentleman to pass a message to my brother," Gu Shiba Niang said calmly, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.

A message?

Cai Wen hesitated for a moment and then gestured for her to continue, "Go ahead."

"Please tell my brother, 'Exert all your efforts, devote yourself, even if it is said that you have not studied, others will surely call it learning,'" Gu Shiba Niang said in a calm voice.

Cai Wen, who had been indifferent, had a slightly frozen expression after hearing this.

"Thank you, please pass on to my brother that I will be waiting for him outside," Gu Shiba Niang bowed her head and said, then left without stopping, quickly walking away.

"What did this little lady say?"

"...The Master said... she has also read books?"

"...I think she's advising Gu Hai to give up and go back home. He won't get beaten if he goes back and his father speaks on his behalf..."

The three young men laughed and joked, watching Gu Shiba Niang walk out of the school gate and stand under the iron crane statue with a serious expression.

"It's time for class. Do you three want to go home and get beaten by your fathers?" Cai Wen turned around and said coldly.

The three fell silent immediately and hurriedly ran inside.

Cai Wen turned to look and saw the young lady sitting on a stone under the iron crane statue, indeed waiting.

"Gu Hai?" he murmured, walking slowly towards the school building. He had little interaction with the students in the school, and their learning progress was different. Besides, Gu Hai was not an outstanding student, so he had no impression of him.

There were three school buildings in total, each belonging to students of different age groups. Although Cai Wen was fifteen years old, he was not in the same school building as Gu Hai and the others, but in a higher one.

Stopping in front of the school building where Gu Hai was, the teacher had not arrived yet. Inside the room, seventeen or eighteen young men were sitting quietly in their seats, some were studying seriously, while others were chatting or sleeping. The room was buzzing with noise.

Among them, the young man sitting in the corner, buried in writing, was particularly eye-catching.

"...I said, don't waste your effort..." the three young men with small eyes sat behind Gu Hai, not daring to leave their seats, poking him with a pen and laughing.

Gu Hai's left hand was placed on the desk with the palm facing up, and it was swollen and red. He bit his lip, seemingly oblivious to the outside world, just focusing on writing.

"...Your sister is here..." the small-eyed young man poked him again from behind and continued.

Gu Hai's hand paused, and a large drop of ink stained the paper, smudging it.

"I..." he was about to speak when a figure stood over him, casting a shadow.

"Exert all your efforts, devote yourself, even if it is said that you have not studied, others will surely call it learning..." Cai Wen said loudly, his gaze falling on the desk where the finished writings were neatly stacked. Although they looked tidy, the handwriting already showed signs of restlessness.

This young man's state of mind was in chaos.

Gu Hai naturally recognized Cai Wen. This person was like a god among the students, while he was just of average talent and had no daily interaction with him. Suddenly seeing him standing in front of him, he couldn't help but be a little stunned.

"Cai Xue Xiong?" he couldn't help but ask.

Cai Wen repeated the words he had just said, this time not mechanically, but with feeling.

"Cai Xue Xiong..." Gu Hai was somewhat surprised. He naturally understood the meaning of these words and couldn't help but feel excited.

Was he teaching himself again?

"Your sister asked me to bring you a message. She said she's waiting for you outside the school," Cai Wen said in a calm voice, then looked at Gu Hai thoughtfully and turned to leave.

"Shiba Niang?" Gu Hai muttered in surprise.

"Yeah, yeah, your sister is here, she's looking at the iron crane. Why don't you pack up and leave with her quickly, so she doesn't have to wait too long..." the small-eyed young man heard his muttering and quickly said, poking him with a pen twice.

Gu Hai suddenly turned around, grabbed the pen from his hand, and snapped it in half.

The small-eyed young man's hand was still outstretched, his smile frozen on his face. It was clear that everyone in the school building had seen this scene, and there was a burst of laughter.

"Damn it, Gu Hai, are you itching for a fight..." the small-eyed young man was furious. He had lost face twice today!

"Who's itching for a fight?" a stern voice shouted.

The noisy chatter disappeared, and everyone watched as the stern teacher stood at the door. The small-eyed young man, who had rolled up his sleeves and stood up, immediately shrank back and sat down, not daring to say another word.